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Steele Wines News
Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They
are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes.
This is not coincidence.
-Erma Bombeck
Whether the coming Thanksgiving holiday includes football
or not, we at Steele Wines wish you a day filled with good
friends and family, abundant food, and of course our fine
Steele Wines! You are receiving some very special bottles
in this shipment that will surely serve as wonderful complements
to your feast. More about them later. For now, a little
update on the happenings here at the winery. The crush is
finally beginning to wind down after another incredible
harvest. You veteran Steeleheads will recall that last year
at this time I commented on the record crop of excellent
grapes. Typically, vines tend to yield fewer grapes following
a big year, but such was not the case this time. Again,
we are near capacity with a harvest that has proven to be
of outstanding quality. Steve, Jeff, Mario, Joy, Janice
and the rest of the crew are all wearing that hollow, vacant
look produced from too many fourteen-hour days strung in
succession. The last grapes will be coming in soon, and
life will slow down somewhat as the young wines begin their
transformation in barrel during the months ahead. All signs
point to another great vintage for Steele Wines!
Speaking of great Steele Wines, you lucky Club members who
receive our mixed selection or whites only enjoyed the Dupratt
Vineyard Chardonnay in the August shipment. If you haven't
heard, that wine garnered a 93 point rating in Wine Spectator!
We knew it was going to be an exceptional wine, and I am
very proud that we had the opportunity to send it to you.
The bad news is that we are completely out of it here at
the winery, as often happens when one of our Steele Wines
breaks the coveted 90 point level. Customers and national
distributors had swept up the remaining inventory within
a day of the rating. If you are interested in finding additional
bottles, try your local wine merchant, as there will surely
be some remaining on the market. Good luck!
Our standing invitation always remains to Steeleheads everywhere-
Next time you are in Northern California, plan to visit
Lake County, California's "Original Wine Country".
Call ahead toll-free at 888-533-7946 (JEDSWINE) for a special
tour and tasting for you and your friends, complimentary
to our club members. Our friendly tasting room staff is
here to greet you.
Jess Hollar, Wine Club Manager
Our Featured Wines
Mixed Selection:
Steele Chardonnay 2004, Lolonis Vineyard, Mendocino County-
another winner here, similar in style to the DuPratt; Shooting
Star Chardonnay 2005, Sonoma County- the popular lighter
style Chard, a real crowd pleaser; and, Shooting Star Barbera
2004, Lake County- rich fruit with well-balanced acidity.
Reds Only:
Steele Pinot Noir 2005, Carneros- selected from three fine
vineyards in Carneros, this one will sell out quickly; Writer's
Block Zinfandel 2004, Lake County- Jed's son Quincy scores
again with this unique interpretation of "California's
Grape"; and, Shooting Star Barbera, as noted above.
Whites Only:
Steele and Shooting Star Chardonnays as noted above; Shooting
Star Pinot Bianco Dulce- this is becoming an annual favorite
with locals and Steeleheads, pleasing a wide range of wine
lovers.
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